EXCLUSIVE:Hayley Atwellpredicted that shed be on strike now.
Im in full support of it, Atwell declared of theSAG-AFTRAdispute.
Atwell noted thatMission: Impossibledirector and writerChristopher McQuarriedecided four years ago that the films villain would be AI.
Hayley Atwell and Tom Cruise in Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part OneParamoun/Getty
The thing in and of itself, she said, begins as a neutral thing.
And then its up to human beings how they wield it, she remarked.
Atwells now back in London with family, friends, plus Wolfie and Iris, her rescue French bulldogs.
Tom Cruise and Hayley Atwell in ‘Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One’Paramount
AI can never replace the skill, dedication and empathy a human actor can bring to a role.
She nods in agreement.
McQuarrie loved it and told her, Oh, I want that in there.
It works because its arealbelievable moment in an action franchise movie.
Theres depth to it.
Her sublime achievement inM:I-7was a decade in the making.
I just dont know what the character is or what the story would be.
He had her audition forJack Reacherwith Cruise.
And here we are.
They had her work with stunt coordinator Wade Westwood and fitness instructor Sam Eastwood.
Westwood and Eastwood watched her closely, deciding that her Grace is scrappy in her fighting, not slick.
The characters physicality was the first thing I noticed about Grace when I saw the film in Rome.
At times she moves like a dancer, and that was deliberate, Atwell said.
When you have that elegant physical behavior, it adds notes about who the character is.
Indeed, there are graceful echoes of Faye Dunaway inThomas Crown Affairand Grace Kelly inTo Catch a Thiefin Grace.
She could be feminine and still strong, Atwell found.
Making the movie has, I sense, liberated her.
I felt watching it, I wasnt thinking about me.
I was lost in the story.
And I think that really is what ends up coming across, she told me.
They actively turn up for me.
And so its just a matter of me stepping forward.
Theres still, like Shakespeare says, the attempt is all.
And Ive certainly been attempting for 17 years, she said, laughing.
Its clear that McQuarrie and Cruise unlocked something in her, for which shes unfailingly grateful.
She was also struck by how kind they were, especially Cruise.
His kindness, she shared, doesnt get talked about a lot.
Theres something wholesome about Tom, she said.
Theres not a jealous bone in his body.
I think hes only ever really competing with himself.
Atwells two dogs often visited set, and others brought their mutts along as well.
And its beautiful to see.
You see someone whos incredibly alpha and dominant and controlled and hardworking and strong.
And yet he always has time for a heartfelt conversation, Ive found.
McQuarrie indicated to me that Atwells part is much bigger inM:I- 8.
While acknowledging that recognition from friends and peers means the world to me, it does not drive her.
Its beautiful and lovely, though, she confessed.
Being in love is wonderful, I nod.
Exactly, she cried.
Its what makes my world go around anyway.
